Heel-plate



(No Model.) 7

N. B. AOHESON.

HEEL PLATE.

No. 269,612. Patents d Dec. 26, 1882'.

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m k r w w u j W B Lil iirvrran STATES PATENT @rrrcn.

NATHAN B. AOHESON, OF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO.

H EEL-PLATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 269,612, dated December 26, 1882.

Application filed September 30, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, NATHAN B. ACHESON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Youngstown, in the county of Mahoning and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Heel-Plates for Boots and Shoes; andl do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accuinpanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

The present invention relates to metallic heel-plates for boots and shoes, designed to prevent the wear of the heel by providing a metallic tread-surface at the edge thereof.

The object of the invention is to furnish a heel-plate which can be adjusted or spread to suit various-sized heels with great ease and faeility.

To this end the invention consists in a horseshoe-shaped heel-plate made of malleable or ductile metal. and having an incision or cut and hole intersecting therewith at the center of its rear or closed portion. The front ends of the plate approach each other so as to leave a. comparatively narrow space between the same for the insertion of pliers or forceps, which are used for spreading the plate to conform to the size of the heel upon which it is used. The hole at the center of the curved or rear portion of the plate is designed for the passage of a fastening screw or nail, which enters the heel at the rear thereof, and serves to secure the plate at this point. Said fastening screw or nail also serves as a fulcrum or center in spreading the plate, since it is evident that the sides and ends of the latter can be spread to suit the width of the heel after the curved or rear portion of the plate has been secured to the heel. The incision and hole at the rear of the plate are of such size that a narrow solid portion of metal is left in front thereof, which is easily bent to permit the plate to be spread by means of the implement inserted between the front ends thereof. Holes are made in the sides of the plate for the reception of screws or nails, which serve to secure the same after the proper adjustment has been made.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a face view of a heel plate or tap constructed according to my invention, the spreading-pliers being shown in position. Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the plate when spread. Fig. 3 is a view ofa heel,showingtheplatesecured thereto.

The letter A designates a horseshoe-shaped plate, which is made of malleable iron, steel, or other ductile metal. The tread or outer surface of this plate may be roughened or corrugated or left smooth, as is deemed most preferable. The front ends of the side portions of the plate are provided with points E, which have straight adjoining faces and are brought close together, so as to leave a space or opening of comparatively narrow width between the front ends of the side portions of the plate, for the purpose hereinafter explained. An incision or cnt,B, made through the plate at the inner edge of the center of the curved rear portion intersects with a hole, G, of circular or other shape, made in rear of said incision and directly in line with the center of the plate. In this manner the plate is partlycut through at its rear,a solid portion of metal being, however, left in rear of said opening C, as is clearly shown in the drawings. Holes D, made in the front ends of the plate, serve, in connection with the hole 0 at the rear thereof, to receive the screws or nails which secure the plate to the heel. The plate is shown in Fig. 1 in its normal position, to adapt it for use on a narrow heel. When it is desired to apply it to a wider heel pliers or forceps (marked E in the drawings) are introduced betweenthepoints E at the frontends of the plate,for the purpose of spreading the plate to the requisite extent. The incision and scrcw-hole at the rear of the plate will leave the latter sufficiently ductile at its rear to permit it to bend thereat and cause the spreading of the side portions of the plate.

I am aware that adjustable heel-plates are not broadly new, and that a toe plate or cap has been provided with notches and holes to enable the same to be spread before its applica- I tion to the shoe or boot.

by the application of a suitable instrument, 10 substantially as and for the purpose set forth. In testimony whereofI aflix my signature in Having thus described my invention, what I. claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- The horseshoe-shaped heel-protecting plate presence of two witnesses. made of malleable or ductile metal, having a slotted perforation at the center of its rear inner portion, and provided with straight parallel faces at the inner sides of its front or open portion, whereby the plate may be expanded NATHAN B. AOH ESON.

Witnesses: 7

tom. B. MURRAY, A. M. TANNER. 

